 Blaine Kern Artists was founded in 1947, and has grown from a
company producing one float in one Mardi Gras parade to become the largest
float builder in the world today. Founder Blaine Kern's career started
long before, as an apprentice to his father's sign painting business
during the Great Depression of the 1930's. At 19 years of age, Blaine
painted a mural in a New Orleans hospital to defray his mother's medical
costs. His unique talent caught the eye of a surgeon, Dr. Henry LaRocca.
The doctor was coincidentally the Captain of the Krewe of Alla, the
largest parading organization at the time. Upon completion of the hospital
mural, Blaine was hired to design and build his first Carnival parade.
The parade was so successful, Walt Disney offered Blaine to join
his growing artistic empire. However tempting the offer, Blaine's love for
New Orleans and growing his own company prevailed. Today, Blaine Kern
Artists produce over 40 major Mardi Gras organizations, and currently
creates and operates parades for MCA Universal Studios and the City of
Juan Les Pin, France.
Kern Studios employs over 100 talented people committed to ensuring
that their company maintains its status as one of the finest theming
companies in the world.
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